Golf tee match book



March 29, 1960 c. A. COWAN 2,930,615

GOLF TEE MATCH BOOK Filed April 7, 1958 Pia. 3

IN VE N TOR CHARLES A. COWAN AGENT United States Patent GOLF TEE MATCH BOOK Charles A. Cowan, Albuquerque, N. Mex. Application April 7, 1958, Serial No. 726,907 1 Claim. (Cl. 273-33) My invention relates to match books.

It is a general object of my invention to provide a novel match book particularly for the use of golfers, which readily may be used as a golf tee. It has frequently been my experience and the experience of other golfers that the golf tees presently available are easily lost or left behind While playing golf. Also, the wooden variety are easily broken and frequently are broken with the first use, with the result that the golfer may be left without tees while he is some distance from the club house and is unable to secure more. Inasmuch as a great number of golfers smoke and hence generally have available a match book, the use of my invention provides them with a golf tee for regular use or for use in emergencies when other types of tees are not available.

By making new and novel improvements in the conventional match book I have provided a match book which, when opened, will support a golf ball in position for teeing off. If by chance the golf club should strike the match book, the fact that the match book is not connected to the ground allows it to be driven a short distance through the air without injury to itself. The match book will offer considerable resistance to flight through the air so that the distance traveled will be sub stantially shorter than that traveled by a conventional golf tee driven under like circumstances. The larger size of the golf tee match book as compared to a conventional golf tee makes it easier to find after it has been driven by the golfer. Inasmuch as a match book is a common means of advertising, it usually is provided free to the golfer and is therefore expendable. It should be noted that there is no danger of fire from ignition of the matches if the conventional safety matches are provided in the match book.

A further advantage of my invention over conventional match books is that it is especially attractive to golfers because of its practical features as a golf tee, and hence provides an advantageous advertising means for manufacturers of golfing equipment or other goods which are especially saleable to golfers. The unusual shape of the match book in itself attracts the attention of purchasers at a sporting goods store or of patrons of a golf course, and when the utility of the device is made evident to them they tend to keep the match book even after the match supply is exhausted, thereby prolonging the effective period of the advertising.

It should 'be noted that the novel modification of the conventional match book does not detract from its use as a match book in any way, and that it may be used as a golf tee interchangeably with its use as a match book and after the supply of matches is exhausted. The attractiveness of my invention as a golf tee to the golfer causes him to accumulate several for use as golf tees with the result that, should he run out of matches from conventional match books while playing golf he is very apt to have one of my special match books on his person and hence is not without a light.

Briefly, my invention lies in the provision of ball- 2,930,615 Patented Mara. 29, 1960 receiving recesses in one side of the match book cover so that, when opened, the match book will provide a stable tee on which to set a golf ball. An optional provision in my invention is the addition of recesses in the front half of the cover for the acceptance of a match which is fastened within the book in the usual manner. The match is bent outward from its fastened baseand inserted in a cover recess so that the match provides an unyielding brace which will hold the match book cover at any fixed angle, limited by the length of the match. This insures that the golf ball will not spread the further open to the point where the ball fall to the ground. Also, the height of the supported ball from the ground is determined by the angle of the cover.

A better understanding of my invention may be had, and other advantages and objects will become apparent on reading the more detailed description to follow, in conjunction with the attached drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of my invention in the full open position; I

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Fig. l as it is used as a golf tee;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view of another embodiment of my invention which includes match-receiving recesses in the match book cover; and

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Fig. 3 in actual use, showing the use of a match as stabilizing member.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, elongated cover 10 is foldable near its center so that front portion 11 will close over match cards which are mounted at one end of the cover. Circularly carved edges 13 are provided along one side of the cover, and are of such size as to receive a golf ball when the cover is in the position shown in Fig. 2. When in use, the weight of the golf ball will force the bottom edge of the match book slightly into the ground or turf, preventing its spreading under the side pressure of the ball. It is found that the conventional size of match book, when provided with ballreceiving recesses, will support the ball at approximately one inch above the ground. This of course may be varied by varying the depth of the recess cuts in the side of the match book, or by varying the angle of fold of the cover.

The embodiment shown in Figs. 3 and 4 has the advantage over the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2 of greater stability and greater freedom from spreading under the pressure of the golf ball. Match-receiving recesses 14 having a width to snugly fit the body of a match are provided along the free edge of front 11 for use as shown in Fig. 4. This feature of course is usable only when matches are remaining in the match book. Then, according to the position of the remaining matches, a match 15 is bent outwards from its fastened base and a portion near the head is inserted in the appropriate recess 14. Since the head of the match is slightly larger than the remainder thereof, the match book will be prevented from opening to a greater angle under the pressure of the golf ball. A stable triangular structure results which will securely support the golf ball.

If desired, a pair of tabs 16 may be provided in the front and back of the cover in lieu of or in addition to match-receiving recesses 14. In use they are folded outward at an angle to the cover, thus giving a greater base for stability.

The match books shown may be used for carrying advertising matter as are conventional match books, although as previously pointed out my invention is particularly adaptable for bearing advertising matter of interest to golfers. Instructions for its use as a golf tee also may be inscribed on the match book if desired. In order to facilitate retrieval of the match book after it hes been'used a'sa golf tee, it is suggested that the advertising matter or instructions be printed in fluorescent ink. The match book will then more easily catch the eye of the golfer, The fluorescent ink also serves another purpose ofmaking the advertising matter moreattractive and eye-catching while the match book is on display before use, and during use.

While I have described preferred embodiments of my invention and shown them in the drawing, I do not intend to be limited thereto. The sphere and scope of my invention are described in the claim below.

I claim as my invention: 7

A combination match book and golf tee consisting of an elongatedcover including a back and a foldable front on one end of the, back, match cards, and a fastener 15 1,397,519

'4 mounting the cards at one end of the cover, said cover provided at one side with a single ball-receiving recess in the front and another in ;the back, said ball-receiving recesses each being arcuately curved to embrace the curvature of a golf ball whereby said cover will support a golf ball when the front and the back are angularly dis- 7 posed, said cover being further provided :with matchreceiving recesses along the free end of the front whereby the front may be locked at an angle with the back.

ReferencesCited inthe file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 100,809 Wrigley Aug. 11, 1936 Kershaw Feb. 14, 1933 I 

